You Can Say No! 3 Things to Consider When Bringing on Your Next Client
Remember when I shared one easy way to plan your year that in 2021 I wanted to do less of agreeing to things that I know aren’t the right fit or that I don’t enjoy, and stop saying yes to things that I don’t love? That includes saying no to a potential client.
Yes, you are reading that correctly. You can say no to someone inquiring about your services. In fact, I bet you’ve had a moment in the past when you KNEW a client wasn’t a good fit, but went forward anyway. So to help you in the future and provide some insights on when to say no, here are three situations for when you should consider saying NO to a potential client, no matter where you are in your business, and how to have that conversation ...
Situation 1
When You Are Just Completely Overbooked
This may seem obvious but if you take on more than you have time for you will start to feel resentful towards that client you took on despite being overbooked. You may start to say, “wow I knew I shouldn’t have taken this on,” and it will just add to the burnout factor that you’re already experiencing.
Possible Solution
One way to overcome this is to have a limit on the number of projects you take on each month. If you are at that limit, tell your prospective client that you “would love to work with them but that you don't have any openings until [fill in the blank].” Sometimes they will wait for that slot you have available, but be prepared for them to move on. And that’s okay!
Situation 2
When You See or Hear Red Flags
One red flag is the client mentioning they've “tried to hire someone in the past, but it didn't work out.” Another red flag, in my opinion, is when the client says something like, "oh, it's just a little project I need you to do for me." In some cases, this phrase is completely innocuous, but in others, what they really mean is, "I want your quality of work but for a low/fast price.”
Possible Solution
If they say they’ve tried to hire someone before, the first thing you should do is ask them WHY it didn’t work out. You want to make sure they don't have unrealistic expectations for the type of work they are seeking from you AND you want to make sure you can actually provide them with a solution. If it turns out they are expecting too much or if they are trying to lowball you with the “little project” approach, then you can remind them that you have set services and rates and would not be able to accommodate what they are looking for.
Situation 3
When They Don't Align With Your Values
If a client’s values don't align with your own, it can seriously throw you off your game. A good example of this is with product photography. If there is a product I don't necessarily believe in, or if it doesn’t align with my values, it will be harder for me to establish a creative approach because my heart simply isn’t in it. Everyone’s values are different. But if you’re working with a client or on a project that doesn't align with your values, you may end up struggling because you won't go all in.
Possible Solution
In this circumstance you can be polite but honest, telling the client that you “don’t feel you would be the right fit for the project and would be unable to give them the experience or results they are looking for.” After all, taking on a project that you are uninspired by is doing both you and your client a disservice. In the end, neither one of you will be happy and that’s not the kind of feedback you want to get around about your business.
Now that you know when to say no and how to handle the situation gracefully, you’re going to want to work on finding that ideal client. And I can help! Book a branding and headshot session with me and we’ll figure out how we can create images that will bring in the clients you want!